Page 15 - Green Builder July-August 2020 Issue

OPINION

Righting Systemic

Wrongs The construction industry’s battle against

racial inequity must start from within.

BY PAUL ROBINSON company that increases the visibility
E ARE LIVING among of the construction industry by
what is considered to educating students about career
be one of the largest opportunities within construction. It
W civil rights move- connects general contractors to interns
ments in history. People throughout and innovative internship curricula,
the country have participated in pro- creating content and experiences
tests in solidarity with the Black Lives that expose a diverse population to
Matter movement, and as the issue of sustainable construction careers,
racial injustice has gained the much- and uniting stakeholders to ensure
needed traction and worldwide atten- the construction industry continues
tion like never before, we have to be to thrive.
solution-oriented. With that in mind, Yet, diversifying an entire industry
one imperative question remains: starts with recognizing that we have
What’s next? work to do, not only as a company,
The construction industry, spe- but as a society.šFor our industry to
ci‡cally, should be very in tune as grow, we must evolve and incorpo-
to what is transpiring, as feelings of rate a diverse array of voices to bring
racial inequity and systematic oppres- new perspectives and viewpoints to
sion that communities of color expe- conversations and company cultures.
rience translates almost seamlessly Additionally, including diverse voices
into the construction industry. across industries helps us in build-
As a black man working in the con- ing a safe and supportive diverse
struction industry and rising through community.š
the ranks, the lack of diversity I saw, Building a better future starts
experienced, and felt was overwhelm- from within. Industries that fuel
ing. Leaders in the construction the economy, such as construction,
industry felt it too—and they were CREDIT: COURTESY OF CONSTRUCTREACH should re›ect the diverse nation we
worried. are living in today. By amplifying
In the construction industry, diverse voices and supporting
minorities struggle to ‡nd a seat at those who have historically been
the table. As of ‰Š‹Œ, according to the disadvantaged and marginalized,
Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than ‘‘ percent of the industry was we can work together to ensure our industries and our world are
white, and more than ’Š percent were men. Furthermore, only ”.‘ places that allow minorities to thrive and ‡nd success. We must
percent of construction employees were African American. use this time of social upheaval as an opportunity to reevaluate
That’s a problem as the newest generations head into the our industry’s infrastructure and chart a new pathway of building
workforce. Forty-four percent of Millennials and •’ percent of Gen Zs to heal. Only then will our founding principles resonate for all. GB
are non-white. Teaching this young audience and providing reachable
opportunities in the construction industry for minorities is vital for Paul Robinson is the founder and CEO of ConstructReach, a
the growth of the industry. workforce development initiative and diversity and inclusion enterprise.
My company, ConstructReach, was born out of this need. He has an extensive background in domestic new and remodel
ConstructReach is a workforce development and social enterprise construction, and international expansion construction.

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